Development and implementation of a collaborative, multistakeholder research and practice model on HIV prevention targeting Asian/Pacific Islander men in the United States who have sex with men.

We describe lessons learned from a national HIV prevention research program grounded in community-based participatory research, the Men of Asia Testing for HIV (MATH) Study, which targeted self-identified Asian/Pacific Islander men in the United States who have sex with men. We discuss the genesis of and impetus for the study and then describe its various facets, including accomplishments, challenges, and unanticipated consequences. We conclude with a discussion about the real-world practice of community-based participatory research with respect to the MATH Study in particular and similar research in general.

A designed single-step method for synthesis and structural study of organic-inorganic hybrid materials: well-ordered layered manganese oxide nanocomposites.

A fast and single-step method was successfully developed toward synthesizing well-ordered organic-inorganic hybrid layered manganese oxide (LMO) nanocomposites and Keggin/organic ions intercalated into layered manganese oxide at room temperature in 1 day. The ordering of layered structures is highly dependent on pH and drying conditions. The Keggin/organic intercalated LMO shows improved thermal stability of the layered structure over that of hybrid LMO.

HIV risk and prevention among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men: listen to our stories.

Despite increasing need for HIV prevention research and intervention programs, the voices and stories of Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men (API MSM) have remained absent from HIV prevention literature. Five focus groups with API MSM (N = 38) were conducted to identify psychological, social, and cultural factors related to HIV risk and protection. Six themes were identified based on focus group discussion: (a) dual-identity status, (b) coming out and disclosure issues, (c) relationships and dating, (d) substance use, (e) sexual risk reduction strategies, and (f) health and social services. Narrative data indicate that multilevel HIV prevention intervention strategies are necessary for addressing the unique psychosocial and behavioral HIV risk factors among API MSM, such as dual stigma stemming from homophobia and racism, discomfort with sexuality, power dynamics and stereotypes in relationships with White men, substance use, and low utilization of health and social services.